Gas-producer.



(No Model.)

L. L. MERBIFIELD.

3A3 PRODUCER.

(Applicat ion filed. June 24, 1901.)

Patehted Au [9, I902.

a Shfs--Sheet TN: NORRIS PErERs c0. PNUIouTHQ, WASHINGTON, u, c.

No. 707,146. I PatentedAug. l9, I902.

' L. L. MERBIFIELD.

GAS PRODUCER.

(Applieatian filed June 24; 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheeis-Sheet 2.

N0. 70.7,l46. Patented Aug. I9, I902.

. L. L. MERRIFIELD.

GAS PRODUCER.

(Application filed June 24, 1901. (No Model.) 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3-.

' UNITED, ST T -s PATENT OFFICE- 1 LEONARD LANcAsTER MERRIFI'ELD, OFTORONTO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR To EDWIN JAMES oHEcKLEY, TRUSTEE,ANDEOONOMIOAL GAS APPARATUS coNsTRUoTIoN ooMPANY, LIMITED, OFToRoNT0,cANADA.

GAS-PRODUCER. Y f

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,146, dated August19, 1902. Application filed June 24, 1901. Serial 1V0. 66,825. (Nomodel.)

the object of the invention is to provide? a:

' machine of this class particularly adaptable for the production of gasfrom peat, in which the carbonic-acid gas, which is non-combustible, maybe reduced into carbon monoxid,

which is a-combustible gas, and thereby ma terially increase the amountof burning. power in the resultant gas; and it consists, essenzo tially,of a shell lined with fire-brick and provided with twochambers havinggrates with central perforated upwardly-extending portions,feeding-retorts preferably conical" in form and surrounded by gaslines,which form a means of communication between-the chambers through themedium of aconnecting passage-way, gas-outlets at the bottom of.

each chamber above the grates, suitable conduits being provided'at theback of thegcaso ing for cooling the gas as it passes from the retortand at the sametime beating the air as it passes to a point beneath thegrates, as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure 1 is a perspective View, partially from the rear, showingthegeneral form of mygas-machine, portion of the casing being broken awayto exhibit portion of the mech;

anism. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionlooking from the front. Fig. 3 is adetail of the mechanism for controlling the valves. Fig.

4 is a detail of the upper shaft and arms controlling the valves. Fig. 5is a detail of the lower shaft and arms. Fig.6 is a detail perspectiveview taken from the rear of Fig. 3. In the drawings like characters ofreference indicate correspondingparts in each figure.

A is the shell of the machine, and B a central partition.

. c is thelining, of fire-brick, which is LS0,

formed as to form two chambers D D of equal.

ticed that the lower portions of the chambers D are tapered, as shown.It will be noticed also that the ash-pit G has a substantially "conicalbottom G, provided with a suitable. valve 9, the chute g of whichextends into a water seal 9 The shell is supported on suit- 6o ablehollow standards A.- The grates E are revolving gratesand are providedwith the f central perforated dome 6, covered withfire. clay or brickse, also provided with perfora tions. The blastpassing'through theseperforations servesto keep the bed of peat at the bottom of the grateincandescent, as will hereinafter appear.

, Surrounding the chambers D D at the bot-' tom are a series ofpassage-ways 2 extend- 7o.

ing radially outwardly into an annular cham-' ber, e These passage-waysare designed to convey the gas from the bottom of the chamber to theconduit leading to the main, as will hereinafter appear. v ing ortaperedupper portion of the chambers D, I provide a series'of openingsor passageways d, which extend vertically upwardly into annular chambersD which are connected ,together at the top by a cross passageway D intowhich "extends the gas -'outlet flue I.. The outlet-flue I is providedwith a suitable valve '6, which is manipulated through the valve-stem iand'handle 11 V J represents suitable charging-hoppers at 8 5 the top,which aremadein any suitable manner, such as may be found mostconvenient and suitable. 1

It will benoticed on referenceto Fig. 1 that the outlet-flue I isconnected at the top byv 9o the branch I with the conduit J, -which islocated and supported inthe main rectangular chamber K. It will alsobenoticed that I provide a passage-way e at the-back of each chamberD D,which communicates with the outlet-pipes e which'in turn communicatewith the conduit J, being provided, however, at the top'or end with acap 2, which Attheinwardlyrextend- 75 may be opened or closed, as theoccasion may require, the cap shown in the drawings, however, beingopen.

The conduit J connects, by means of a pipe j, with a conduit J at thebottom of which is an opening J, to which is connected a pipe forconducting gas to any desired point.

L is an opening leading into a fresh-air conduit L, which extends aroundthe conduit J and central partition L around the conduit J, and down tothe bottom thereof, whenceit passes through by the pipe Z into thebottom of the ash-pit immediately below the grate. The outer end of eachconduit Z is provided with a cap Z, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, and 6.

It will now be seen that there are practically two pipes for theadmission of the fresh air into the bottom of the retorts and two pipesfor the outlet of gas from the bottom portions of the retorts, and thefirst two pipes are provided with caps Z and the latter with caps e.(See Fig. 3.) The caps Z are provided with stems Z which have pivotallyconnected to them the cross-beam Z which is secured on the cross-shaft2. The cross-shaft 2 is supported in suitable bearings 2*, as indicated,and has secured onto it an arm 3.

4 is a counter cross-shaft situated above the shaft 2 and having locatedthereon the sleeve 5. The shaft 4 is journaled in suitable bearings. Thesleeve 5 has secured on it the arms 6 6, and the shaft 4, journaled inbearings 4, has secured on it the arms 7 7. The end of the arm 6 ispivotally connected to the stem 6 at the upper end of the cap a and theend of the arm 7 is pivotally connected to the end of the stem (2 of theduplicate cap a. The end of the arm 6 has pivotally attached to ittheconnecting-rod 8, and the end of the arm 7 has pivotally connected to itthe connecting-rod 9. The connectingrods 8 and 9 are made in two parts,the socket portions 8' and 9 being pivotally connected to the ends ofthe cross-beam Z The socket portions 8 and 9' have bosses 8 and 9 whichare provided with slots.

11 and 12 are pins which normally extend through the bosses, socketportions, and stems of the connecting-rods 8 and 9, respectively. Thepins 11 and 12 are provided with laterally-extending pins 11 and 12,which extend through slots in the bosses, so as to limit the movement ofthe pins. The ends of the pins 11 and 12 have connected to them theadjusting-rods 11 and 12 which extend to the outside of the casing. Thearm 3 has connected to it an adjusting-rod 3, which also extends throughto the outside of the casing.

In the position shown in Fig. 3 the connecting-rods 8 and 9 are eachshown connected together, and it will therefore be seen that bymanipulating the adj usting-rod 3 the cap 6 is thrown up and downsimultaneously with the diagonally-situated cap Z in both cases, so thatwhen the cap Z is open for admission of air through the pipe Z beneathone chamber D the gas-outlet pipe e is open at the bottom of theopposite chamber for a purpose as will hereinafter appear. By pullingupon the adjusting-rods 11 and 12 the upper portions of theconnecting-rods 8 and 9 are thrown out of connection with the lowerportion-that is to say, the caps e are thrown out of working in unisonwith the caps Z. In doing this of course it is preferable first to pullupon the rod 3, so as to throw the cross-beams Z and 10 horizontal, and1ikewise the arms 6 and 7 and 6 and 7. It will thus be seen that as soonas the two portions of the rods 8 and 9 are disconnected the caps 6 willdrop down, so as to cover the pipes e and necessarily the rods 8 and 9will drop farther down into the sockets 8 and 9'. The caps Z, however,will be raised and the pipes Z opened for a direct draft through thepipe Z underneath the chambers D and D, the gas in this instance passingup through the opening (Z, cross passage-way (Z into the pipe I, thevalve t', of course, of which is open.

I shall now briefly describe the operation of my invention. The chambersD and D are filled with peat fuel or sawdust or other organic substancesup to about a point slightly above the gas-outlets cZ. Fire is thenkindled in both chambers, and the caps Z are adj usted so asto be raisedand open, while the caps e close the pipes 6 as hereinbefore described.When the fuel in the chambers D and D is brought to a proper degree oftemperatureviz., that of incandescence-the rods 8 and 9 are connected totheir socket portions and are arranged to act in unison. (See Fig. 3.)It will thus be seen that when the cap 6 is open, so as to uncover thepipe 6 the diagonally-situated cap Z is also open, so as to uncover thepipe Z. The forced draft, by any suitable means created, is preferablyused and forced through the pipe Z into the bottom of one chamber D, thegas from the incandescent peat being thereby forced through thepassage-ways d and cross passage-way D and annular passage -ways dthrough the passage-way d at the opposite side, whence the gas passesdown through the second bed of incandescent peat and out through thegas-openings 6 into the pipe e thenceout through the conduits J and J tothe main gassupply pipe. In order to keep the bed of peat in eachchamber incandescent, it is necessary to frequently change the valves orcaps, closing the draft and gas-outlet pipes,which work in unison, andthis is accomplished by the means I have hereinbefore described, so asto throw the caps, which are closed in Fig. 3, open and the caps whichare open closed. The main draft thus would be directed through theadjacent chamber in identically the same manner and down through theopposite chamher by the passage-ways hereinbefore referred to, thencethrough the outlet-pipe. Not only may the air be admitted through thepipe L, but also steam may be admitted .n fee'd, as may be preferred.

seenthat in starting-the-furnace the charges are obliged to pass throughthe incandescent. mass of the companion producer.

is then fed into the producerfrom which the gases pass, andtheai'r-blast is turned on in this producer, and thus the 'ga'sesproduced, which are mainly carbon .dioxidand steam,j are passed throughthe incandescent fuelih the companion producer. This converts thecarbon'dioxid and steam into carbon monoxid This process is continued,"-unti1- the incandescence in the second prof" ducer is reduced to toodowa'temperature to break up the gases from the; firstiproducer. T Whenthis-point is arrived at, the valves are" shifted'and theprocessreversed. '-The pro-* through this pipe, and the air and steampassing throughlthe. grate-EQand perforated cone into the fuel, Wherepartial combustion takes place, the resultant gases with the excessmoisture in the peat passing up through the the pipes-e? and-Lfrequently to produce the best effects.

properly, to convert them into carbonic oxid and hydrogen, which passoutthrough the fiueinto the preheating device hereinbefore described,where the sensible heat of the gas is taken. up by the air whichsurrounds the fiues and travels in the opposite direction,

the gas passing through the outlet J 3 to wash ers,"scrubbers,condensers, or gas-holders or where required. As soonasthe peat israised to a state of combustion in the chambers D and D by direct draft,as hereinbefore de-' scribedflfeed' thel peatinto the conical-retorts Fand F. Themoisture of the peat will now be eliminated to a great extentfor the :reason of the radiation of heat from'the lines and passage-waysdand'D aroundthe'conical retorts F and F; The'charging is accomplished,with sealedcone avalve hoppers, as hereinbefore referred .to, or bysuitable'screwof peat in both retorts are raised up to incandescence.The valves are then so set that the gasesfrom one of the retorts orproducers and hydrogen.

ducers are so designed as to insure the com the bottom of one chamber,andthe gasisthrown up at thebott'om of the other. When thedriersareworking; acharge of-peat and.

wood sawdust or other. carbonaceous material islet down, say, into theleft-hand charm-- "ber, and the steam and air'are blown into the'bottomof the said" chamber. The prodnets of distillation pass" throughthe incandescent cokeand then'through' the flue and top pipe'to therighthand-chamber, down After a greatdeal of eXperi ment I have foundthat I am enabled to prac-. tically eliminate the carbonic-acidornon-Z tcombustible gas and water vapors or, more It will thus be Fresh peateach 'annular chamber as andfor the pin-p throughthe hot coke which itcontains, and out through the" bottom hues and away 3: to

the gas-main. When the fuel isijpartlycarbonized, a charge is let downinto therighthand chamber and the valves are reversed; The direction ofthe current-is reversed every .fewminuteseitheriautomaticallyortbyhand.a Y

The reversingzof: the apparatus :is governed by the amount of carbondioxid in the'resultant gases at such period, so that -the;tem'--.

'perature of the coke in the second chamber is always kept sufficientlyhigh todecompose the tarry matter andthe carbon .d ioxid into 86 carbonmonoxid and the-watervapor con'- itained in the peat or carbonaceousmaterial into carbon monoxid and hydrogen. The re- :sultant product istherefore carbon monoxid: and hydrogen(water-gas) and traces of mars'h-,

gas. The coke is used up-in the further converting of the oxygen intocarbonimonoxid.

The clinkers and incombustiblematter'gradually-fall tothe base of thefuel, where they are removed 'by' the shakingor revolving 9o grate andfall intothe h0pperbottom,wh-ich'1 is provided with a valve, asdescribed, where theygive up-all the sensible heat to the incoming airand steam and from the hopperbottom drop from time'to time through the 5valve into the water seal and after the valve is closed can be withdrawnwithout'stopping the production of 'gas. It is of course 'preferable toproduce thebest results to herm'et- Y .ically seal thefire-box atthebottom with a roo suitable grates, feeding-retorts located above I rethepeat-bu'rning chambers and designed-to contain peat preparatory toburnin'g,-a series of passage-ways extending upwardlyfrom the upperportion of each fl peat-burningchamber circularlyarranged andsurrounding the; re :15

torts, and annular chambers con nectedthere .with,' a cross passageewayconnecting theyaninular chambers, a seriesof passage-waysronfiuesleading radially outwardly near the bot tomsof the peat-burningorfire chambers, 120

annular passage-ways surrounding the" bo'ttomof the chambersandconnecting withsaid radially-extending flues'andga's-foutlets fromspecified; I r2 5 f2. In a peat-gas machine, the combination with asuitable casing an'dlining therefor'and" two peat-burning chambersformed therein 1.

adjacent to each oth'er and provided with suitable grates, feedingretortslooated'above' -1 30' the-peat-burning"chambersand designedtocontain. peat preparatory'to"burni'ng, 'aserie's 7 of passage-waysextending upwardly from the :upper portion of each peatburriin'g chambercircularly arranged and surrounding the retorts and annular chambersconnected therewith, a cross passage-way connecting the annularchambers, a seriesof passage-ways or flues leading radially outwardlynear the bottoms of the peat-burning or fire chambers, annularpassage-ways surrounding the bottom of the chambers and gas-outlets fromeach annular chamber and valves for controlling the same and draft fluesor pipes leading to beneath the grates and connected with the centralgas-fines of each retort and valves controlling the same as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a peat-gas machine, the combination with a suitable casing andlining therefor and two peat-burning chambers formed therein adjacent toeach other and provided with suitable grates, feeding-retorts locatedabove the peat-burning chambers and designed to contain peat preparatoryto burning, a series of passage-ways extending upwardly from the upperportion of each peat-burning chamber circularly arranged andsurrounding-the retorts and annular chambers connected therewith, across passage-way connecting the annular chambers, a series ofpassage-ways or fiues leading radially outwardly near the hottoms of thepeat-burning or fire chambers, annular passage-ways surrounding thebottom of the chambers and gas-outlets from each annular chamber, andvalves for controlling the same, and draft fines or pipes leading tobeneath the grates and connecting with the central gas-fines of eachretort and valves controlling the same and means whereby when thegas-outlet valve at the bottom of one chamber is open the draft-pipe atthe bottom beneath the grate of the other chamber is likewise opened andthe other two controlling the outlet and draft pipes are closed as andfor the purpose specified.

4. The combination with two peat-fire chambers and the separategas-flues surrounding each chamber at the bottom and communicatingtherewith, of the outlet-pipes leading from such gas-fines, thedraft-pipes leading from beneath the grates, two shafts suitablysupported one above the other, across-arm on one shaft connected bycross connectingbars to the cross-arm on the lower shaft and arms oneach shaft located on the same plane, cross-arms and caps connected tosuch arms and designed to extend over the ends of the gas-outlet pipes'or fines and inlet draftflues as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination with two peat-fire chambers and the separategas-fines surrounding each chamber at the bottom and communicatingtherewith, of the outlet-pipes leading from such gas-fines, thedraft-pipes leading from beneath the grates, two shafts suitablysupported one above the other, a sleeve on the upper cross-shaft, twoarms connected to the sleeve and extending outwardly to one side of theupper cross-shaft, two arms secured on the shaft, the cross-arms on thebottom shaft, caps pivotally connected to one cross-arm and covering theends of the draftpipes and caps pivotally connected to one arm on thesleeve of the upper shaft and to an oppositely-extending arm on theshaft itself, crossed connecting-rods pivotally connected at the bottomto the ends of a cross-arm on the lower shaft and to one arm on thesleeve and one on the upper shaft, said connectingrods being formed intwo parts with lower socket portions and pins extending therethrough andthe solid portion of the connecting-rods, means for manipulating suchpins, so as to withdraw them and allow of the crossarm on the lowershaft being operated independently of the arms on the upper sleeve andshaft as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination with the outlet-flue and inner draft-flue, of thecasing, a partition extending the major portion of the height of thecasing into which such flue extends, a gasconduit flue at one side ofthe partition, a corresponding flue on the opposite side of thepartition, a pipe connecting the same, an outlet-pipe for the gas at thebottom of the outer gas-conduit fiue,andinner air-fines surrounding thegas-conduit lines and forming passageways up around the outergas-conduit flue and over the partition and down around the innergas-conduit flue and communicating with the draft-tubes as and for thepurpose specified.

LEONARD LA NOASTER MERRIFIE LD.

Witnesses:

L. TRIMBLE, R. SHIELDS.

